Floristic composition and vegetation structure of subtropical pine forest of district Buner, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016
74. Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae ------ 3.98 29.91 ------ 3.98 29.91 16.94 50
75. Plantago lanceolata L. Plantaginaceae 28.77 23.27 27.07 19.94 19.94 28.77 24.76 100
76. Pteris cretica L. Pteridaceae (Fern) 6.35 ------ ------ ------ 6.35 6.35 6.35 25
77. Rumex dentatus L. Polygonaceae ------ ------ 23.33 ------ 23.33 23.33 23.33 25
78. Rumex hastatus L. Polygonaceae 15.82 14.47 ------ 54.80 14.47 54.80 28.36 75
79. Saccharum bengalense Ritz. Poaceae ------ 6.03 ------ ------ 6.03 6.03 6.03 25
80. Saussurea heteromalla (D. Don) Asteraceae ------ ------ 9.43 4.75 4.75 9.43 7.09 50
81. Scandix pectin-veneris L. Apiaceae ------ ------ 5.72 ------ 5.72 5.72 5.72 25
82. Scilla griffithii Hochr. Hyacinthaceae ------ 3.62 20.27 ------ 3.62 20.27 11.94 50
83. Stellaria media (L.) Cry. Caryophyllaceae 17.24 22.23 ------ ------ 17.24 22.23 19.73 50
84. Taraxacum officinale Weber. Asteraceae ------ 13.95 14.49 9.31 9.31 14.49 12.58 75
85. Verbascum thapsus L. Scrophulariaceae ----- 3.34 ------ ------ 3.34 3.34 3.34 25
86. Vicia peregrima L. Papilionaceae ------ 9.70 ------ ------ 9.70 9.70 9.70 25
87. Vicia sativa L. Papilionaceae ------ ------ 24.49 ------ 24.49 24.49 24.49 25
Key: (DOC): Diplachne-Olea-Cynodon community; (CDA): Cynodon-Dodonaea-Ailanthus community
(RCA): Rubus-Cymbopogon-Ailanthus community; (JCA): Justicia-Cymbopogon-Ailanthus community
*- Ist dominant **- 2 nd dominant ***- 3 rd dominant.
Soil was sandy loam with pH of 7, organic matter
2.20%, low phosphorus (1.13 ppm), potassium (40
ppm) contents and lowest EC of 0.35 dSm -1 (Table 3).
Cynodon-Dodonaea-Ailanthus community
The community was recognized at Girari at an
altitude between 765-898 m. There were 50 species
with 13 trees, 14 shrubs and 23 herbs. Ailanthus
altissima, Dodonaea viscosa and Cynodon dactylon
prevailed throughout the community with IV of
53.68, 54.97 and 107.07 respectively.
Co-dominants included Ficus glomerata, Olea
ferruginea, Rubus fruticosus, and Capparis spinosa
among woody layer. While among herbs Plantago
lanceolata and Stellaria media were co-dominants.
Phanerophytes followed by therophytes were
dominant life forms. Microphyll leaf form was most
prevalent (Table 2). The soil in this community was
sandy loam with pH 7, OM (4.96%), 1.59 ppm P, 60
ppm K and EC 0.5 dSm -1 (Table 3).
Table 3. Physico-Chemical analysis of the communities recorded from District Buner.
S.No Communities Soil texture pH EC dSm -1 Org. Matter % Phosphorus
(available) ppm
Potassium
(Available) ppm
1. DOC Sandy loam 7 0.35 2.20 1.13 40
2. CDA Sandy loam 7 0.5 4.96 1.59 60
3. RCA Loam 7.5 0.4 1.24 1.36 60
4. JCA Sandy loam 7.2 0.7 3.93 7.72 120
Rubus-Cymbopogon-Ailanthus community
At Elai at 553-590 m a total of 38 species with 14
trees, 7 shrubs and 17 herbs composed the
community. Ailanthus altissima, Rubus fruticosus
and Cymbopogon jwarancusa were the dominating
plants with IV of 60.82, 112.80 and 69.67
respectively. Prosopis glandulosa, Morus nigra
among trees, Maytenus royleana, Dodonaea viscosa
among shrubs, Asparagus gracilis, Oxalis
corniculata among herbs were co-dominant species.
Phanerophytes followed by therophytes dominated
the community. Microphyll was dominant leaf form
in this community. Loamy soil had pH of 7.5, 1.24%
organic matter, 60 ppm K and 1.36 ppm P and EC 0.4
dSm -1 (Table 3).
Justicia-Cymbopogon-Ailanthus community
The community was present at Jangdara at 765-898
m. It contained 32 species with 11 trees, 9 shrubs and
12 herbs. The dominants were Ailanthus altissima,
7 | Ahmad et al.